Our Christmas Present
“I’m sitting here at work with the OCP Christmas CD playing. What a delightful mix of music! Really well crafted and somehow spiritually connecting the hope of the Christmas message to the realities of the life of the OCP community. This will be one of my favorites. Thanks to all for this labor of love.”
Eldon Kurtz, Physical Plant Director
Eastern Mennonite University
“Our Christmas Present” brings you the best of local and regional talent, with a few national (and even international) performers. Traditional Christmas songs done traditionally, with traditional songs done in an original way. Completely new and original Christmas songs make up half of the album. The mix of genres runs smart singer-songwriter acoustic to reggae to bluegrasss band to blues, and even old-time. The listener gets several musical experiences all in one.
“Everyone says it’s wonderful!”
Deb King, Manager
Gift & Thrift
Traditional Christmas
Of the traditional songs done traditionally, Jessie Trainum’s leads off. Her angelic voice heralds the traditional music in store on this remarkable album. She makes the holiday bright with her ethereally beautiful rendition of “What Child Is This“, the 1865 hymn by William Chatterton Dix set to the tune of the 16th-century English melody “Greensleeves“. On top of playing guitar and violin on the track, Jessie sings lead and harmony vocals. Trent Wagler and his Steel Wheels give their fervent fans a most moving “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel“. Scott Murray, who “sings like a bird” according to Townes Van Zandt, presents a warm version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” recorded years ago for his own Christmas album.
“Texas’ best-kept secret” Danny Schmidt gets together with world-beating Carrie Elkin for their own special gift from Austin–the traditional classic “The Little Drummer Boy“. The “truly gifted” Heather Kropf has wrapped up a present for Christmas, an excitingly Latinized take on the traditional “Coventry Carol“. Folk-blues singer-songwriter phenom Paul Curreri from over the mountain in Charlottesville, applies a bow . . his highly original, instrumental version of “We Three Kings“– as they say “crazy intricate, crashing, dancing fingerpicking that simply makes sense in context with his themes.”
Original Christmas
The super-smart singer-songwriter set kicks off with Ketch Secor, founder of the barnstorming phenomenonOld Crow Medicine Show, who presents “Send No Angels”, the nativity story updated in an urban setting (and destined to be a Christmas classic). Chris Howdyshell, the spark plug behind local band Red River Rollercoaster, and long-time M.C. for the Little Grill open mic, presents “I Heard Them Bells”, a country-folk appeal for peace on Earth. With his ironic take on Christmas and family strife, Jonathan Reuel reminds us life ain’t always what it says in a “Christmas Card” from “before the break-up”. With another original, former owner of the Little Grill Tom Kildea blesses the holiday with “Christmas Inside”, a very loving tune. Not to be outdone, local genius, and another Little Grill veteran, Terry Turtle tosses in his dauntingly funny original “Reindeer on the Roof”.
Variety Christmas
For variety of genre, regional reggae phenom Greg Ward packs his sleigh with “Christmas Time”. Delta blues stylist Alex Albrecht lends his sparkling talents to “The Santi Jam”. The Trail Band out of Colorado gives a sneak release gift of “Nacimiento (Nativity)” which tells the story of a migrant farmer planting Christmas trees in America.
In a cross between Christmas tradition and genre busting, the New Johnsons, Erin and Hannah (but not sisters), revive a foot-stomping hootenanny ritual with “Breaking Up Christmas“. Hearkening back to old-timey days when people in the mountains held two weeks of house parties filled with music and dance to close out the holidays. This lively recording has the spoons. It has the shouting. It even has flatfooting in the studio. It makes listeners feel like they’re right in the room enjoying the hoedown.
Merry Christmas from Our Community Place!!
Track Listing
- “Breaking Up Christmas” Erin Johnson and Hannah Johnson 3:24
- “Send No Angels” Ketch Secor 5:27
- “Nacimiento (Nativity)” The Trail Band 3:43
- “What Child Is This” Jessie Trainum 3:32
- “Christmas Inside” Tom Kildea 4:08
- “Christmas Time” Greg Ward 3:17
- “The Santi Jam” Alex Albrecht 1:57
- “Coventry Carol” Heather Kropf 3:24
- “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Trent Wagler & Steel Wheels 3:23
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Scott Murray 2:12
- “I Heard Them Bells” Chris Howdyshell 2:22
- “Christmas Card” Jonathan Reuel 4:39
- “Little Drummer Boy” Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin 4:15
- “We Three Kings” Paul Curreri 3:26
- “Reindeer on the Roof” Terry Turtle 1:51
See liner notes for more description on these tracks.
To order the OCP Christmas CD just send us a check for $15 a copy to 17 E. Johnson Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, or pay through PayPal below. Or simply stop by for a visit. All proceeds go to support Our Community Place. These fine merchants also have copies available for you: Gift & Thrift, Laughing Dog Productions, The Little Grill Collective, A Bowl of Good, and Earth & Tea Cafe.